Public meets over parking problems

Resident expresses desire for development, not more lots.

Resident expresses desire for development, not more lots.

March 29, 2006|SHARON DETTMER Tribune Correspondent

LAPORTE -- Perhaps there are no silver bullets to fix the downtown parking dilemma. But taking a proactive step, by having residents and visitors take a few additional steps, may be the most viable plan. "We must overcome our fear of walking in the Midwest," said Jeffrey A. Colvin. "We're like fish, circling around the block to find a good parking space." Everyone wants an upfront parking spot. Colvin, a parking consultant from Indianapolis-based Walker Parking Consultants, was on hand at LaPorte City Hall on Monday for public discussion related to parking improvements. Walker Parking Consultants did a comprehensive parking study for the city of South Bend, Colvin said. The study indicated locations for a new parking garage, he said. "Parking is a problem that isn't unique to LaPorte, Indianapolis or South Bend," he said. "Cities everywhere share the same issues." However, building a parking garage in LaPorte isn't advisable now, Colvin said, unless government entities -- the city and county -- want to collaborate with LaPorte Regional Healthcare System to do so. Establishing a consortium to build a parking structure seems unlikely, though, since the hospital has purchased property north of Washington Street to build a 109-space parking lot. "Building a parking garage is costly," Colvin added. Federal programs that once helped fund parking garages "have evaporated." A basic, above-ground parking structure with 100 spaces costs about $1.5 million, or $12,000 to $15,000 per space, Colvin said. This figure does not include bonding, lawyer and engineering fees, land acquisition, utilities and maintenance. Colvin said that the hospital could eventually find itself "surrounded by blacktop." This bothers Ed Long, a LaPorte resident who believes the city can't afford to have blacktop parking lots taking up space. Long expressed concern that the city is losing tax revenue because the hospital continues to purchase land for parking use. The property should be used by businesses or corporations to generate more tax income for the city, Long said. Future action on the issue certainly won't include doing another study, Mayor Leigh Morris insisted. "There are plenty of options and all have been identified," he told those in attendance at the meeting. Parking areas are slated to be constructed or expanded, according to Morris. After demolition of city-owned buildings along Washington Street is completed, about 137 parking spaces will be added on the north side of Washington Street near the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Clay Street. In addition, a parking lot owned by the county between Madison Street and Indiana Avenue can be restructured to add more spaces. Colvin encouraged regulating a two-hour parking limit near the courthouse and in other designated areas. Rather than chalking tires to monitor parking, the city can purchase computerized, automated parking monitors, Colvin said. Parking enforcement personnel could be trained to be "city ambassadors," he said. Installing parking meters, free or pay, is another solution, Colvin said. Parking meters were removed from city streets years ago. "That was a knee-jerk reaction to local malls," he said. "There were parking meters pulled in many towns." Parking problems are fluid and change over time. "The dynamics of a city will change," Colvin commented. Installing pedestrian crosswalk signals calibrated to give folks ample time for street crossing is a needed improvement. The Indiana Avenue and Lincolnway intersection can be improved. Those attending the meeting agreed the intersection should be redesigned to be more pedestrian-friendly.